Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles that carry out specialized functions, such as the nucleus which houses the DNA, mitochondria which produces energy, the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus which process and transport proteins and lipids, and lysosomes which break down waste. Plant cells also contain a large central vacuole for storage. These organelles work together with the cytoplasm and plasma membrane to carry out the functions necessary to keep the cell alive.